Selected Works 2009 - 2014

a visual narrative of an arch itectural pursuit & a collection of thoughts selected works of

JESSICA TZU-CHI TSENG

august g 2009 2 to may y 2014

hello my name is iv

Work

Studio C Architects, PLLC Junior Architect

Queens, NY

May 2014 - present

• Schematic & programmatic design • Site survey & documentation • Zoning analysis & NYC Building Code research • 3D rendering visualization • Prepare construction drawings & documents • Equipment & material research • Communication & coordination between owner, GC, architect • NYC Department of Buildings filing representative Manhattan, NY

Mar 2013 - Apr 2014

Manhattan, NY CUNY City College of New York The Bernard Anne Spitzer School of Architecture Bachelor of Architecture, 2014

Aug 2009 - May 2014

AJR Architecture, PC Architectural Drafter • Schematic design • Construction drawing revisions • Verify ADA criteria in drawings

JESSICA TZU-CHI TSENG 3830 Parsons Blvd. Apt 5H F l u s h i n g , N Y, 11 3 5 4 646-712-2088

Education

tcj.tseng@gmail.com

David Werber Traveling Fellowship Queens College Study Abroad Program Honors

WX Scholarship Program Scholarship Recipient

Barcelona, Spain

Jul 2013

Florence, Italy

Jan 2012

Manhattan, NY

May 2013

WX New York Women Executives in Real Estate is an invitation-only association of executive-level women actively engaged in the commercial real estate industry in New York. The WX Scholarship is awarded based on academic merit to young women in pursuit of real estate and related field. Scholarship recipients are also enrolled in the WX Mentoring Program and are invited to exclusive WX events.

Skills

Digital: AutoCAD, Revit, Rhinoceros, V-Ray for Rhino, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel Analogue: Model making with basswood, chipboard, Plexiglas, plaster, and others; drafting, markers, pencils, watercolor, charcoal & pastel drawings Languages: Fluent in English, Mandarin Chinese; entry level Spanish

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the table of contents vi

RESUME

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inside studio CHILDREN’S THEATER

01

ATLANTIC FABICATION WORKSHOP & GALLERY

11

120 HOURS DESIGN COMPETITION

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CMSV STUDENT + FACULTY DORMITORY

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WINTER GARDEN

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LIVE + WORK HIGHLINE HOUSING

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outside studio THE CLOUD FIREFLY EFFECT WATERCOLOR PASTEL

33 39 43 51

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inside studio

01

Children’s Theater East Village, Manhattan Fall 2013 - Spring 2014

The Children’s Theater on East 14th Street in Manhattan is a community facility that serves to foster creativity at a young age by involving participants in the theater arts. From casting, voice acting, to designing and building sets and props, trained professionals in residence will guide children and young adults through the process of theater production. The project examines the relationship and dynamics between the dualities of its users: child vs. adult, teacher vs. learner, and spectator vs. spectacle, and explores how our build environment affects our learning.

The proposed project is located in East Village, Manhattan, New York. The neighborhood is known for its diversity in cultures, religions, incomes, and languages. In recent years, this area has also came to be identified as the center of New York City artistic expressions, with artists, musicians, writers, and practitioners of other various forms of arts moving into the area.

The Client:

AfterWork Theater Project is a community where everyday people can register to perform plays, musicals, and workshops in New York City. No audition is required, and rehearsals take place one to three times per week, depending on the participant’s availability. The program is a recreational theater experience for non-professional performers. Participants are given the opportunity to rehearse and perform fully-staged plays and musicals in NYC under supervision of local, professional performers. The Children’s Theater is an extension of the AfterWork Theater Project, catering to children of those participating in the adult program.

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E 18th h St

60%

60.65

E 17th St

Though the younger working population still lives in the neighborhood, families are gradually moving out. Many people who work in the area commute from other neighborhoods.

E 16th h SSt

E 15th h St

In recent years, the NYC Department of Education had begun to gradually decrease budget in the arts and music department, and reappropriate resources to the math and sciences. Many public schools were forced to let go teachers in these departments and as a direct result, millions of NYC public school students found their curriculum seriously lacking in creative expressions.

FAM ILIE SL E

E 19th h SSt

adult 26 -60 yrs 63.15

Dilemma 2:

SS

2013

100%

2010

East Village is well known as an incubator for diversity in creative energies. However, as young adults and high earning workers flood into the neighborhood, the cost of living skyrocketed and drove out middle class families. The chart on the right describes the age groups in percentage of the neighborhood population (data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau & Population Division of NYC Department of City Planning) and suggests possible trajectory for each age group in the future. A decline in the neighborhood youth seems imminent.

2000

Dilemma 1:

5% AN 2 TH

4%

+

E 14th St

E 13th St

Comprised of working people in the neighborhood who did not establish a family. Increase of older adult resulted from decrease of younger generation in the neighborhood.

older adult 65+ yrs

E 12th St

20%

6% 11%

40%

Students of NYU, Cooper Union, and other universities in the area continue to move into the neighborhood.

15 14.15

48%

E 11th h SSt

E 10th St

31%

10.9

young adult 19 - 25 yrs 8.4 adolesence 13 - 18 yrs 7.45

Overcrowded schools and lack of afterschool and support services for children lead to decline of children population.

Families are moving out of the neighborhood.

7.1

children 0 - 12 yrs 6.8

6.25

HOUSING SIZE 0% current state

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trajectory

h St E 9th

E 8th St

SCHOOL

ST. GAUDENS PLAYGROUND

E 19th St

P.S. 40

y dwa Broa

Park Ave S

~12 min

E 18th St

Union Sq 14th St

E 15th St MANHATTAN MAN AN NH N HAT TAN COMPREHENSIVE COMP PR P REEHENSIVE REHENSIVE NIGHT NIGHTT & DAY DA AY H.S.

~5 min

6 E 14th St

L

L

3rd Ave14th St

~3 min

1st Ave14th St

E 14th St

4th e Av

y dwa Broa

University Pl

3rd Ave

Irving g Pl

4 14th St 5 - Union Sq Union Sq 14th St

First Ave Loop p

P.S. 226 P

HEALTH HEA H LLTH H PROFESSIONS PROFESSIONS H.S.

R

L

~8 min

1st Ave

Q

STUVESANT STU UVESAN U V ANT VESA SQUARE SQ QUARE

2nd Ave

N

E 16th St

~ 8 min

Union Sq E Un

Union Sq W

UNION SQ

WASHINGTON WASHING W TON IRVING G H.S. .S.

Nathan N h D Perlman P rlman l Pll

GRAMERC CY GRAMERCY ARTS H.S. ARTS H.S SS.

Rutherford Rutherfo Rutherf R th h ffo ord d Pl

E 17th t St

E 13th St

E 13th St

~12 min

~10 min

t St E 12th

E 12th St EAST SIDE COMMUNITY H.S.

P 19 P.S.

E 11th St

E 11th St 11TH ST COMMUNITY GARDEN

E 10th St

N R

Public Space

Citi Bike Station

Members Only Space

1/8 Mi Radius - 5 Min Walk

Public Schools

Semi-public Space

Primary Student Walk Path

E 9th St

8th St NYU

H.S. Student Walk Path MTA Bus

E 9th St

Bike Lane MTA Subway

St. Mark’s Pl

St. Mark Mark’ss Pl

E 7th St

E 7th St

E 6th St

E 6th St S

r Sq

HARVEY MILK H.S.

E 10th St

Astor Pl

e Coop

r Pl Asto

COOPER SQ

Lafayette St

Waave ver erl rly lyy Pl

gto g ton ton n SSq qE

1/4 Mi Radius - 10 Min Walk

Site

6

Washington Pl

y Stu

t tS san ve

ABE LEB EB B WO OHL O HLL WOHL P ARK PARK

04

East 13th Street Elevation

East 14th Street Elevation

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East 13th Street Elevation Sketch Model

In attempt to remediate these dilemmas, the Children’s Theater was proposed in this neighborhood. The theater provides programs in four creative discplines related to theater: the performance art in acting and dancng, musical and vocal training, script writing and story telling, and the design and manufacture of costumes, stage sets, and props.

In hopes of providing a space for creative learning and displaying the result of learning in extravagant spectacle, the concept of the theater was conceived. The two performance spaces were introduced as brightly colored gem-like forms to reiterate that the final product of the children’s creative pursuit is displayed as precious jewels.

These odd forms protrude from the otherwise coplanar streetscape to bring attention to and invoke curiosity of their presence. The ground floor is a public interior space with programs such as cafes and bookstores to bring in revenue for the facility. The spectators will engage in an upward movement to enter these performance spaces, whereas the participants will desend into the performance spaces from their classrooms and workshops above.

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14 ST

Ground Floor Plan

07

13 ST

2nd Floor Plan

3rd Floor Plan

4th Floor Plan

5th Floor Plan

theater

13TH 3TH 3T 3TH HS ST STRE TR STREET RE EET ET

art

play

music

admin

1 4TH 4T HS ST TR REE REE RE ET T 14TH STREET

08

09

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Atlantic Fabrication Workshop & Gallery Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Spring 2013

As the wave of 3D printing sweeps across the creative industries, craftsmen of various discplines find themselves reexamining the practice of “making”: what is maker culture?

Who are the makers, what do they make, and how are they made? In collaboration with the Atlantic Avenue Business Improvement District, the proposed fabrication workshop & gallery in the heart of industrial Brooklyn embarks on an exploration of today’s “maker culture”.

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The site is rich with historical evidences of fabrication and craftsmanship. However, Industrial Giant Brooklyn lost its crown as New York City’s manufacturing in cheaper markets turn from trickle to stream in the last century. This project not only takes a stand to define the comtemporary maker culture by establishing a connection between makers and society, but also attempts to bridge the chasms between past and present.

the makers They are artists, sculptors, painters, material researchers, textile specialists, industrial engineers, furniture builders, recycling activists, vandals, marketing strategists, entrepeneurs, printmakers, curators, photographers... Each individual is packed with creative ideas and unique set of skills, and everyone is here to make a statement.

the participants They are students, teachers, researchers, art enthusiasts, journalists, spectators, critics, tourists, business endorsers, curious pedastrians, shoppers, publicists, reporters wandering couples, makers in the making... Once an individual has made up his mind to enter fabrication workshop & gallery, he is an active participant in the maker movement.

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GARDEN PL

WILLOW PL

PL

“FLINT GLASS WORKS.” 1830

COLUMBIA

“BENJAMIN MOOR PAINT FACTORY” 1883

“MAKEHAOFRAME” RN ST 1978 SCHERMER “ATLANTIC PACIFIC CHANDLERY MANUFACTURING CO.” 1922

STATE ST

PACIFIC ST

AMITY ST

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COURT ST

CLINTON ST

HENRY ST

HICKS ST

AVENUE ATLANTIC

SCHERMERHORN ST

BOERUM PL.

“FLAVOR PAPER LAB” 2009

ATLANTIC FABRICATION WORKSHOP & GALLERY, 2013 STATE ST

PACIFIC ST

NEVINS ST

BOND ST

HOYT ST

SMITH ST

BOERUM PL

ATLANTIC AVENUE

DEAN ST

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GROUND FL PLAN

0

10’

20’

2M FL PLAN CELLAR PLAN 3RD FL PLAN

2ND FL PLAN 0

15

10’

20’

ROOF PLAN

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Fold On The Fjord Geiranger, Stranda Municipality, Møre og Romsdal, Norway In collaboration with Anthony Giron + Tsz Ching Wong Spring 2013

The 120 Hours Competition, as its name stated, challenges participants to propose, design, and produce a design solution in 120 hours from the release of the design problem. This year, the competition took us to the crown jewel of west coast Norway: the Geiranger Fjord.

Surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains, Geiranger is home to a small village of 250 inhabitants.

However, this humble village receives an astonishing 300,000 cruise ship passengers during peak summer seasons. Regardless of the lack of serviceable infrastructure to dock massive cruise ships, these annual floods of tourists return year after year. The objective of this competition calls for a design for a cruise ship terminal to accommodate the impressive avalanche of visitors while appropriate its presence in this unique natural setting.

Energy Tiles Folded Canopy Activity Spaces Pier

A

The proposal uses folded metal plates as its structure.

The tessellations draw inspiration from geometries found in nature: the crystallization of frozen water and the angular mountain faces. The long pier is activated by shops, natural pools + thermal baths, exhibitions, observation deck, and other amenities. The design lengthens and enhances the experience of arrival.

C

B

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A

B

Kinetic Energy Harvesting Tiles

C

Select floor plates are mechanisms to harvest kinetic energy into reusable energy for the terminal. As cruise ships bring visitors to the town, the demand for energy is responded by the increasing amount of people supplying the kinetic energy harvester.

D

D

SCALE: 1:6000 M

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Cmsv Student+Faculty Dormitory College of Mount St. Vincent, Riverdale, Bronx Fall 2012

The dormitory experience, for many students, is the first step out of their comfort zones. On one hand, it offers the excitement of freedom from parental restraints. It provides opportunities for young adults to explore individuality, social interaction, and independence. However, on the other hand, it is a nervous experience, to brave a new world alone without the guidance and protection of “home�. The dormitory, therefore, hosts an interesting dichotomy for the human experience. While an individual continues to explore who he is, he now must learn how to be part of a community, a world much bigger than his home.

The dormitory acts as an intermediary and buffer between the life of familiar dependency and the life of mature independency. Thus, the dormitory is looked at in two different scales -- in the micro scale, a space in which a one can retreat to -- and in the macro scale, a campus community that a student is part of. The building is narrow and single loaded, with its hallway knitting individual units together in co-living experience. On the ground floor, public amenities for the campus such as cafe, laundry, and bookstore invite the flow of the rest of the campus. The location and massing of the building reinforce activity hubs with the existing buildings.

Typical Plan

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20

21

GROUND FL PLAN

0’

10’

20’

22

2ND FL PLAN

SECTION

0’

10’

20’

Winter Garden for an Entomologist In collaboration with Melinda Siew Fall 2011

“Winter Garden for an Entomologist� was the given program for this design exercise. A series of sliver section sketches displays the morphing process of the winter garden space through the telling of a complicated love story, in which the main protagonist, Mister Entomologist, mediates between his passion for entomological research and his first lady, Miss I-don’t-really-like-bugs.

The site-less exercise explores spatial transformation with the narrative as the catalyst for change.

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26

Live+Work Highline Housing Chelsea, Manhattan In collaboration with Melisa Cardona + Chrisoula Kapelonis Fall 2010

Located in Chelsea, Manhattan, the Highline serves as a backdrop for this exercise of architectural intervention. The neighborhood offers a rich culture and history of the industrial scene, from which this project was conceived.

An elevated, hung walkway connecting to the Highline redirects the flow of public into the experience of the intervention. A rectangular volume of live-work units seemingly floats above a sea of trees, which mediates between the architectural volume and the Highline.

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28

29

10TH AVE

W18TH ST

30

outside studio

The Cloud

Spitzer School of Architecture of CUNY CCNY, New York In collaboration with Rei Chiang + Shereen Hassan + Kirk Millette Fall 2012

In response to the underutilization of the Rooftop Amphitheatre in the Spitzer School of Architecture, our team propose to reactivate the rooftop space by redesigning its spatial experience.

The installation attempts to instigate curiosity of occupants in the building, students and faculty alike, and to draw people to the rooftop in an upward movement. We make our intervention in the built environment by installing a canopy resembling clouds over the amphitheatre. The installation is metaphorical of bringing the sky down to human scale. It gives an ephemeral sense with its airy translucency and its constant swaying in the wind.

Since the installation covers a large area, the cost and reusability of the materials became a concern. We used materials that are readily available in our surroundings and can be reused for other purposes. We attached 2x4 wooden posts on the railings of the amphitheatre, then used thin metal cables to create a series of grids. We then filled up 60 gallon large, translucent garbage bags with air, and attached the them to the cable system.

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34

35

36

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Firefly Effect Spitzer School of Architecture of CUNY CCNY In collaboration with Melisa Cardona + Susan Wu Spring 2013

The purpose of this lighting project is to enhance the experience of the handicapped ramp that rounds the corner of the Spitzer Building. Currently, the path lacks invitation and is mostly used by those who ride bikes to school. We are proposing to revitalize this space by creating a lit trail that mimics fireflies in jars in a natural setting. The ambiance envisioned is that of a forest trail at night, lit by sparkling fireflies. The feeling is warm, quiet, and nostalgic.

Glass containers made for everyday usage (i.e. pasta sauces, jams, beer bottles, etc.) are manufactured with a certain aesthetic quality. However, many of these containers are underutilized after their contents have been exhausted. Salvaged glass jars and bottles will be recycled for this installation project. We want to highlight the aesthetic quality of the raw form and materiality of the containers, as well as rethink its function.

Instead of containing liquids, the bottles will now contain light. Because glass is a durable material, it can protect the lights from outdoor exposure and weather conditions. There are variations in color (depending on the lighting used and the type of container that is recycled) and additional design modifications.

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Plexi Glass Plate

Solar Panel Wires

Lid

Controller Board Battery Metal Plate LED Light

Glass Jar

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41

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Pursuit in Watercolor 2012 - 2014

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45

46

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48

49

50

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Exploration in Pastel 2014

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Thank you